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Home > Cats > Why Are Tabby Cats So Vocal? Vet-Approved Info & Vocalization Causes

Why Are Tabby Cats So Vocal? Vet-Approved Info & Vocalization Causes

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Dr. Ashley Darby

Veterinarian, BVSc

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Tabby cats are the most common type of domestic cat in the United States, and if you’re wondering why your tabby cat is meowing so much, you’re not alone. Some cats are simply more vocal than others, and often, tabby cats like to make a ton of noise.

But why exactly is your tabby cat meowing so much, and are tabby cats more vocal than other cats? The general answer is that it will depend on your cat’s personality. Learn more details below.

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Do Tabby Cats Meow More Than Other Cats?

Tabby cats are a very popular type of cat in the United States, but it’s important to note that a “tabby” cat is a coat type, not a breed. Because a coat doesn’t determine how much a cat meows, a tabby cat will meow about the same amount as other cats.

Sometimes, a tabby cat will be extremely vocal, and other times, you’ll get a very quiet tabby cat. Basically, every cat is an individual, so some simply meow more than others. Some tabby cats meow a lot, and others are mostly quiet. Get to know your specific cat, and that should let you know a little more about how vocal you can expect them to be!

tabby cat in a crate in evacuation center
Image Credit: Cavan-Images, Shutterstock

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The 6 Reasons Your Cat Is Meowing More Than Usual

Once you know your cat, you know how much meowing is normal for them. So, if you start to notice that they’re meowing more than usual, you need to figure out why. There are currently 21 different types of vocalization recognized in cats which are used for different purposes such as aggression, reproduction and other social behavior 1. With that in mind, we’ve highlighted six reasons your cat might be meowing more than usual:

1. They Want Attention

Sometimes, your cat comes up to you and starts meowing only because they want you to start giving them some more attention! If this is the case, the solution is to spend more time with them and play with them for a bit.

Of course, this could mean they come up to you and start meowing all the time just to try and get you to play with them! If you don’t like the behavior, simply ignore them.


2. Illness

Your cat can’t communicate like a human, and one of the best ways they have to try and talk to you is by meowing. Pay attention to your cat, and if you start to notice any other unusual signs, you should be able to track down what’s going on with them. If you suspect your cat is sick, we highly recommend taking them to the vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

veterinarian giving a brown tabby cat oral health checks
Image Credit: A.UDOMRATSAK, Shutterstock

3. Hunger

Sometimes, your cat simply won’t stop meowing because they want you to feed them! But keep in mind that if you give in every time they start meowing, they might start coming up to you daily and meowing in hopes that you’ll give them a treat.


4. Saying Hi

If your cat comes up to you and starts meowing to you when you come home, they might just be giving you a greeting. There’s nothing wrong with this, and if you give them a little attention when they’re saying hi, it’ll go a long way in helping the two of you bond.


5. They’re Stressed

If there’s been a new major addition to your cat’s life, this might cause them to meow more than usual. If you can reduce these stressors or give your cat some time to adjust to the change, they should start meowing less sooner rather than later. You can also give them a little attention to try and help them through the stressful times in their life.

a tabby cat with ear hematoma
Image Credit: BabyMosquito, Shutterstock

6. Aging Problems

Often, when a cat starts to get older, it can start to develop some cognitive and physical problems. This can lead to them meowing a bit more to express their confusion. It can be sad, but the more accommodations you make for them, the easier you can make the aging process for them. See your vet for help in determining what specific accommodations might help your senior feline.

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Final Thoughts

Get to know your cat, and unless they start meowing more than usual, there’s nothing to worry about. But if your cat is starting to meow more than usual, you’ll want to take notice, as it’s one of the ways your cat has to communicate with you.

Some tabby cats will be more vocal than others, and some will be quieter. Just get to know your cat personally and enjoy your time with them no matter how vocal or quiet they are!

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Featured Image Credit: guvo59, Pixabay

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